Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G. Don) Johnst.: An Endangered Medicinal Plant of the Western Himalayas-Pharmacological Insights, Phytochemistry and Agrotechnological Advances

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants dates back to ancient times, with a significant boost in discoveries during the 17th century, known as the "Age of Herbal Medicines." Traditional medicine was widely relied upon before modern pharmaceuticals, endorsed by the World Health Organization. Today, over 75% of the world's population depends on plants for health, with over 30% of plant species used for medicinal purposes. One prominent example is Arnebia benthamii, a frequently employed plant species in traditional Himalayan medicine, especially for treating several fatal infections. Furthermore, Arnebia benthamii is renowned for its multifaceted pharmacological properties, encompassing anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-depressant effects. The secondary metabolites found in Arnebia benthamii, including Shikonin, Isovaleryl-shikonin, β,β-di-methylacryl-shikoninconstitute the core classes of bioactive compounds. However, the excessive exploitation of this plant, driven by its extensive therapeutic potential, has placed it on the list of critically endangered medicinal herbs in the Himalayas. Consequently, this review presents current information on phytochemistry, Medicinal value, pharmacological capabilities and agrotechniques of Arnebia benthamii, underscoring its significance as a vital medicinal herb in the western Himalayas.